Guest bunhead0614 Posted May 10, 2003 Report Share Posted May 10, 2003 Hey everyone, well first of all I want to say I'm not sure if this would exactly go here I was thinkin more the flexibility section, but for some reason it wouldn't let me post there....hmmm anyway I have my right and left split...yay...and here's the deal with my russian(center split) I can get down in it, but my legs aren't straight out so I guess I have it but not really hmm....can anyway help me with stretches that can help me become more flexible to get my legs straight out...any help is greatly appreciated...thanks in advance Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted May 10, 2003 Administrators Report Share Posted May 10, 2003 (Thanks for moving this here, dirac!) Hello bunhead0614, welcome to the Young Dancers' forum on Ballet Alert! Online That split is more difficult for many people because it requires more rotation. There is no magic pill for it, unfortunately, but, like everything else, just keep practicing. Some of my students used to get up against the wall, lying down on their back with their derrière up against the wall, and let the legs open as far as possible out to second and just stay there a while. Read a book or something ;) Quote Link to comment
balletqueen3450 Posted May 10, 2003 Report Share Posted May 10, 2003 I also have a question about the center split...like bunhead i can do both splits and am very flexible and also have 180 degree turnout as well but for some reason i cannot get the full center split does that still deal with rotation if my turnout from the hips is fully rotated out? i'm so confused! any advice? Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted May 10, 2003 Administrators Report Share Posted May 10, 2003 No, not really. If your flexibility and your rotation are what you say, then it should be there. If not, then just keep working on it. Although splits are not the ballet world's most important things. Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted May 10, 2003 Report Share Posted May 10, 2003 They are, however, useful for changing the subject at the after-performance reception, should you get cornered by some tree sloth of a conversationalist.;) Quote Link to comment
Guest jane Posted May 10, 2003 Report Share Posted May 10, 2003 teehee! that sounds like good advice Mr Johnson ! Sadly I am not very flexible. If I got down as far as I could in the splits and just stayed there would it help, and how long roughly would I need to stay there for it to take affect? Also, do you need to rotate your legs for all splits, or only center splits? Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted May 10, 2003 Administrators Report Share Posted May 10, 2003 The legs should be rotated for all splits. I don't know how long one should hold them and there are no studies, to my knowledge anyway, that tell one how long to hold this kind of stretch. Quote Link to comment
balletstar811 Posted May 11, 2003 Report Share Posted May 11, 2003 Ms. Leigh, You said your students would lay against the wall, and I know exactly what you mean, but my question is- did you see an improvement at all from them doing this? Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted May 11, 2003 Administrators Report Share Posted May 11, 2003 Well actually, yes, although I can't be absolutely sure that this one thing is what did it. However, I had a student who had a great deal going for her, but her rotation was somewhat less than wonderful. She spent hours in this position, literally. Between her work on that, and the training she had, which taught her how to best use what she had and how to make herself LOOK really turned out, plus her own strength and ability to do many things very well, she turned out to be one of the strongest dancers I ever had, and she joined a professional company at 17 and eventually became a principal dancer. Quote Link to comment
balletstar811 Posted May 11, 2003 Report Share Posted May 11, 2003 Wow, Ms. Leigh- that is amazing! I hope the same could work for me! Was this girl naturally flexible? It's great to hear stories of how the odds can be beaten. Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted May 11, 2003 Administrators Report Share Posted May 11, 2003 She was not the most flexible dancer I've worked with, for sure. She had some flexibility, but it was not by any means exceptional. She had to work for everything. By the time she was 16 she looked like she had everything naturally, but that is why I am so proud of her, because she was not one of the "naturals" She had good feet, and a very pretty body and face, turned well, and was strong. She became an exceptional turner, both sides equal, developed a good jump in spite of a very small demi plié, and developed excellent extensions. Quote Link to comment
ConstanzaElisabeth Posted May 12, 2003 Report Share Posted May 12, 2003 thats very nice to hear, its difficult to be in love with something where you have to be made perfectly to take part in. sometimes, though, it seems like teh 'naturals' are at a disadvantage because everything always comes so easily to tehm at such a young age that they dont build teh strength required for actual performance until they are older. they let everything come as it will, which may look gorgeous but also sacrifice specifics of technique. Quote Link to comment
Guest jane Posted May 12, 2003 Report Share Posted May 12, 2003 I would definitely say I find that very inspirational, Ms Leigh. Thanks for sharing it with us Its that sort of thing that can lift you up on a really bad day. Quote Link to comment
balletqueen3450 Posted May 12, 2003 Report Share Posted May 12, 2003 i really agree about that being inspirational i have struggled with turns all through out ballet and turning is definately my weakest aspect of my dancing..it kind of makes you feel like even though you may feel your ages and ages away from what you want that it is possible...hopefully i will be so inspired that ill land perfect quads next class lol...great story Ms. Leigh:) Quote Link to comment
balletstar811 Posted May 15, 2003 Report Share Posted May 15, 2003 Another question Ms. Leigh: How old was this girl when she began her laying against the wall and stretching vigorously? I mean, she was able to develop beautiful extensions and good turn out -- how long did it all take her? Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.